Saim Ayub released from Pakistan tri-series squad to work on batting form, Farhan named replacement

Pakistan opener Saim Ayub has been released from the national squad for the remainder of the ongoing ODI tri-series after requesting to return to domestic cricket to work on his batting form and regain confidence, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Monday.

The PCB said the decision was taken after Saim spoke to head coach Mike Hesson, with the team management and the national selection committee agreeing to his request.

“Respecting Saim’s decision and appreciating his honest assessment of his current form, the team management and national selection committee have mutually agreed to accept this request,” the board said in a press release, according to Dawn.

Right-handed opener Sahibzada Farhan has been named as Saim’s replacement for the remainder of the tournament.

The decision comes after Saim endured a difficult run in the tri-series, managing 21 runs across his first three matches, including a six-run dismissal in Pakistan’s dramatic one-wicket victory over England at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday. Shadab Khan’s unbeaten 113 and an unbroken last-wicket partnership with Haris Rauf secured that win after a top-order collapse.

Pakistan have already secured qualification for the tri-series final with three consecutive victories. They face Sri Lanka in the fifth match of the series at Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday, October 27.

Sources: Dawn, https://www.dawn.com/news/2039933/saim-ayub-released-from-pakistan-tri-series-squad-to-work-on-batting-form-sahibzada-farhan-named-replacement ; Nukta, https://nukta.com/sahibzada-farhan-replaces-saim-ayub ; Dunya News, https://dunyanews.tv/en/Sports/979654-sahibzada-farhan-replaces-saim-ayub-in-pakistan-odi-squad-for-triseri